Call Description

The Max Thelen Studio Residency provides a quality art space for an emerging artist to create artwork and receive community support. The Residency includes a free art studio for 12 months with many additional benefits. Ideal candidates live in the San Francisco / Oakland Bay Area and commit to regularly making art in the studio and participating in the program activities.

Art Works Downtown offers a diverse mix of studio artists and mediums in the heart of the San Rafael commercial core for regular interaction with the public. The Max Thelen Studio is a bright space located on the street-level of the AWD complex. Art Works Downtown believes that an emerging artist will stimulate new ideas among established AWD studio artists and vice versa. Our community will be better served as they recognize and understand the importance of supporting emerging artists in their career endeavors.

Benefits:

• Free art studio, including utilities, fees and operating costs, 92 sq. ft., see images at www.artworksdowntown.org. This residency does not include living accommodations.
• An environment that is supportive and empathetic to the creative process
• Solo exhibition in the Founders’ Gallery, which provides exhibition production experience
• Waived fees for AWD membership and juried exhibitions
• Representation on AWD’s newsletter, website, and social media
• Exposure to large groups of visitors every month during the 2nd Friday Art Walk events
• Scholarship granted for mandatory participation in Marin Open Studios
• Exposure to Gallery procedures and processes
• Exposure to the nonprofit arts organization operation

Eligibility:

• Applicants must live in reasonable commuting distance to San Rafael CA
• Applicants must be in the early stage of their art career with a committed art-making practice
• Visual artists will be considered

Application Requirements

Application requirements include:

• 5 to 10 images (up to 5 videos for video artists)
• Up to 5,000 Word Statement introducing yourself as an artist and your artwork
• There is no cost to apply
• Required questions:
  • A prime objective of the art studio space is for the selected artist to regularly use the workspace. This is not a showcase studio, it is a work and display studio. How do you envision using the space?
  • How would an association with the Art Works Downtown artist community benefit you?
  • What are your career ambitions as an artist?
  • Name and contact information of 1–3 recommendations—an arts educator, gallerist, or arts professional is preferred.
• Links to support materials—such as a website—if you have any.

Eligibility Criteria

Calendar:

• Deadline to apply May 19, 2022
• Award announced in June of 2022
• Studio Residency to commence in August 1, 2022 through July 30, 2023
  Founders Gallery exhibition: date to be determined towards the end of the residency